Lifetime of Giving Awards

Lifetime of Giving

Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities will proudly host our annual Lifetime of Giving Awards in March of 2020. During this event we recognize outstanding advocates, service professionals, and others who support individuals with developmental disabilities. Award winners can be nominated by anyone in the community.

The Lifetime of Giving Awards ceremony began in 1999 in honor of Nancy Richards, who believed that people with disabilities make the best advocates for themselves. In 2004, the ceremony expanded to honor Kathy VanBuskirk, with the Outstanding Direct Support Professional Award. The award recognizes individuals who provide outstanding care for people with developmental disabilities.

If you feel inspired to nominate someone for an award, please click on the various award categories below to find the best fit for your nominee. To submit your nomination, simply complete the quick and easy form shown at the bottom of the page. Nominations for the 2020 Lifetime of Giving must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. February 14, 2020.

For questions or help submitting a nomination, please contact Anne Flanery at anne.flanery@dcbdd.org or 740-201-5810.

RSVP for 2020 Lifetime of Giving

We hope you will join us for this celebratory evening! RSVP is required to attend. Please be sure to register by March 2, 2020.

A company/company representative that significantly contributes to providing inclusive, competitive employment opportunities for people with disabilities. It is our hope that their example will inspire others to recognize ability rather than disability as the most important factor in employment.

Outstanding Community Partner

A business or organization whose sustained efforts have had a significant impact and/or enhanced the lives of people with disabilities. This business or organization has directly contributed to the success of individuals with developmental disabilities without reimbursement from DCBDD. The nominees must have exhibited outstanding achievements in improving the lives of people with disabilities.

Outstanding Advocate

A person who speaks and acts to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities. An advocate uses his or her experiences to obtain and/or improve services.

Outstanding Peer Mentor

A student, sibling or friend whose sustained efforts have had a significant impact and/or enhanced the lives of people with disabilities. Peer mentors provide education, recreation and support opportunities to individuals. The peer mentor may challenge the person with new ideas, and encourage him or her to move beyond the things that are most comfortable. Most peer mentors are picked for their sensibility, confidence, social skills and reliability.

Outstanding Professional

An outstanding professional (teacher, nurse, doctor, attorney, etc.) whose dedication, professionalism, and work in the community has significantly impacted and/or enhanced the lives of children and/or adults with disabilities.

Outstanding Volunteer

A person who freely offers to take part in enhancing the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. All nominees must have freely intended to promote the goodness or improve the quality of life of individuals with development disabilities.

Outstanding DCBDD Employee

An outstanding DCBDD Employee whose dedication, professionalism, and support for people with disabilities goes above and beyond the responsibilities of their job. This person exudes DCBDD's mission to inspire, empower, and support people to achieve their full potential. DCBDD management personnel are excluded from nominations.

Please tell us why you would like to nominate this person for an award. You can share a situation in which the person went above and beyond what was expected of them, ways in which this person has advocated for persons with developmental disabilities or himself/herself if the nominee has a disability, or examples of how this person provides and promotes the treatment of persons with disabilities with respect, dignity, and full recognition of their equality as fellow citizens. Please limit your answer to one page.